The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has expanded its partnership with biotech firm Manus, providing an additional $15 million to secure the domestic production of shikimic acid. This compound is a critical raw material required to manufacture oseltamivir, the active pharmaceutical ingredient used in antiviral treatments for influenza.
The initiative leverages advanced bio-manufacturing capabilities:
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Cell Factories: Manus utilizes precision fermentation and microbial engineering to produce bio-alternatives, moving away from reliance on foreign agricultural or chemical extraction methods.
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Capacity Building: The investment supports the installation of a new industrial-scale fermentation line at the company’s BioFacility in Augusta, Georgia.
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Supply Resilience: The program aims to mitigate national security risks associated with the fact that over 80% of essential drug components are currently sourced from international markets.
Funded via the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Program, this project is designed to strengthen the domestic industrial base against public health emergencies. By deploying next-generation American biotechnology, the partnership seeks to stabilize the pharmaceutical supply chain and prevent recurring seasonal shortages of vital medicines.
Source: https://www.contractpharma.com/breaking-news/manus-expands-partnership-with-hhs/